Myoporum plant named ‘CLEAN n GREEN’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Myoporum laetum  named ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ which does not exhibit symptoms of attack by thrips, which are leaf-feeding insect pests which commonly affects plants and plantings of  Myoporum laetum . ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ exhibits healthy green, glossy and perfectly shaped foliage. In combination with its upright form and well-branching habit, these characteristics distinguish ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ from all other existing varieties of  Myoporum  known to the inventor.

Genus: Myoporum.

Species: laetum.

Denomination: ‘CLEAN n GREEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofMyoporum, which is grown as an ornamental shrub for use in the gardenand landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Myoporum laetum,and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘CLEAN nGREEN’.

‘CLEAN n GREEN’ was discovered by the inventor in 2009 as a naturallyoccurring single whole plant mutation which the inventor had observed inan established cultivated hedge planting consisting of many plants ofMyporum laetum (species, unpatented) in Santa Barbara, Calif. Theinventor observed that ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ did not exhibit any of thesymptoms of attack by thrips, which are leaf-feeding insect pests whichcommonly affects plants and plantings of Myoporum laetum. Whereas,neighboring and even adjacent plants of Myporum laetum all exhibited theleaf deformity which is characteristic of thrip attack, the single plantof ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ was entirely free of such symptoms, and exhibitedhealthy green, glossy and perfectly shaped foliage.

‘CLEAN n GREEN’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in June2009 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Asexual propagation was accomplished usingsemi-hardwood cuttings. The inventor continued to observe the discoveredplant ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ and has observed the plants which have beenasexually propagated from ‘CLEAN n GREEN’. Both the original plant andall subsequent plants have remained unaffected by thrip attack despitebeing deliberately exposed to insect pressure from other infested plantswhich the inventor placed in close proximity.

The inventor has determined that the distinguishing characteristic of‘CLEAN n GREEN’, namely resistance to attack by thrips, has remainedpresent in subsequent generations, and that in all respects ‘CLEAN nGREEN’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualpropagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The distinguishing characteristics of ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ are as follows: Incombination these traits set ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ apart from all otherexisting varieties of Myoporum known to the inventor. ‘CLEAN n GREEN’has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypicdifferences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic,and cultural conditions. All growth descriptions are for plants whichhave been grown out of doors in Santa Barbara, Calif.

-   -   1. ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ naturally well-branching at the base and        along the stems, making it highly suitable for use as a hedging        plant.    -   2. The foliage of ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ is glossy and pale green when        juvenile, and glossy and mid green when mature.    -   3. ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ is resistant to infestation by thrips.    -   4. In its first season of growth when planted in the landscape,        ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ achieves a height of 1.2 meters and a width of        1.2 meters.    -   5. When planted in the landscape and mature, a plant of ‘CLEAN n        GREEN’ achieves a height of approximately 6.0-6.2 meters and a        spread of approximately 6.0 meters.    -   6. ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ is hardy to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and, as is        typical of the species parent, will thrive in Sunset Western        Climate Zones 8, 9, 14-17 and 19-24.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of‘CLEAN n GREEN’ showing the colors of its foliage and flowers as true asit is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 shows the original discovered plant of ‘CLEANn GREEN’ which is still in situ in the landscape planting in SantaBarbara, Calif. Whereas the plant of ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ appears healthy andfull, the adjacent and nearby plants of Myoporum laetum are evidentlyseverely affected by thrip attack.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 shows the foliage of a plant of ‘CLEAN nGREEN’ which has been asexually propagated from the original discoveredplant. The foliage is entirely free of any symptoms of attack by thripsand appears glossy and healthy despite having been positioned in closeproximity to plants which were infested with thrips.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 3 shows a solitary flower of ‘CLEAN nGREEN’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Myoporum laetum cultivarnamed ‘CLEAN n GREEN’. Data was collected from an eighteen months oldplant growing out of doors in a 3 gallon container in Santa Barbara,Calif. When grown entirely in a container, the height and spread of‘CLEAN n GREEN’ are reduced as described herein. The observed plant hadbeen pruned down to 10 cm above soil level in order to encourage basaland lateral branching as would be typical of commercial culturalpractice. Color determinations are in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where generalcolor terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Myoporum laetum ‘CLEAN n GREEN’.-   Use: Ornamental landscape and hedging plant.-   Parent: ‘CLEAN n GREEN’ arose as a naturally occurring whole plant    sport which was observed within an established hedge planting of    many plants of the species Myoporum laetum (unpatented).-   Type: Evergreen shrub.-   Vigor: Medium.-   Habit: Upright.-   Dimensions: Height: 85 cm; width: 80 cm.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9.-   Propagation: Medium hardwood cuttings.-   Root system: Coarse surface roots and dense fibrous root system    throughout the container.-   Soil: Plant in loam or well drained soil.-   Sunlight: Plant in full sunlight.-   Diseases and pests: Resistant to thrips and not susceptible to any    other pests or diseases known to the inventor.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—Prolific. Branches are strong and wiry and            quickly turn upright.        -   Number of branches.—After pruning the apical shoot at 10 cm            above the soil level, seven branches resulted below.            Numerous lateral branches emerge from each of these basal            branches. Lateral branching is axillary and occurs at each            node.        -   Basal branches.—Length 75 cm, diameter 7 mm-10 mm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length 10 cm-30 cm; diameter 5 mm-8 mm.        -   Internode length (all branches).—2 cm-3 cm.        -   Shape.—Irregular quadrangular.        -   Stem surface (lignified, mature).—Rough, coriaceous, color            ranges between 161A and 163D.        -   Stem surface (green, juvenile).—Slightly rough with numerous            rounded lenticels which are readily felt but barely            discernable. Color (including lenticels) 138B.        -   Stem surface color at each node and extending approximately            0.5 cm on either side of each node.—173B.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf number per basal branch.—30-40.        -   Leaf number per lateral branch.—8-20.        -   Leaf shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf base.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf apex.—Markedly acuminate.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate, with prominent mid vein; other veins            barely discernable, appears pinnate.        -   Vein color (both surfaces).—Mid vein N144D; other veins as            leaf lamina.        -   Pubescence.—None present.        -   Margin.—Entire, smooth.        -   Leaf surface (both surfaces).—Smooth, with numerous raised            oil glands which appear as tiny dots. Each gland has            diameter less than 0.5 mm and is raised less than 0.25 mm.            Glands are approximately 1 mm apart and are present            throughout both leaf surfaces. Gland color is 145C.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole length.—8 mm-12 mm.        -   Petiole shape.—Flattened: width 2.5 mm, depth 1.5 mm.        -   Petiole color.—N144D.        -   Petiole surface.—Smooth.        -   Leaf dimensions.—3.5 cm in width and 10 cm in length.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface 141A; lower 138A.-   Flowers: Flowers appear to be mostly absent. Where observed, flowers    are axillary and occur singly or in pairs or in groups of four to    six flowers.    -   -   Arrangement.—Solitary. When present as two or more flowers            in an axillary group, each flower and its peduncle is            solitary.        -   Peduncles.—Attachment: Axillary and (if more than one flower            in the axillary group) adjacent to others without joining at            base. Dimensions: Length 8 mm-12 mm; diameter 1 mm. Color:            143C.        -   Corolla.—Shape: Stellar, sympetalous, five lobes slightly            recurving. Diameter: 18 mm. Depth: 5 mm. Lobe apex: Rounded.            Lobe base: Truncate. Lobe margin: Smooth, entire. Texture            (upper surface): Wax-like, glossy, pubescent except at            margins. Hairs tiny, very fine, 2 mm in length, color            appears gray-white. Texture (lower surface): Wax like,            smooth, glossy. Color (upper surface): NN155D with two to            four longitudinal rows of purple-gray spots numbering from            16 to approximately 40 on each lobe. Spots commence at 5 mm            from lobe apex and extend to lobe base. Spots are            irregularly shaped, typically round to slightly elliptic.            Spot diameter varies between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm, Spots are            not raised. Spot color N187A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: 4 in number, exserted, 5 mm-7            mm in length, color white. Anthers: Elliptic, 2.5 mm in            length, 1.5 mm in diameter, color 157D. Fruit: Not observed.            To date, all flowers have aborted.

1. A new and distinct variety of Myoporum laetum plant named ‘CLEAN nGREEN’ as described and illustrated.